Travelers are frequent targets of cybercriminals. These incidents can have serious consequences for both the individuals targeted and their employers, emphasizing the need for secure file transfer solutions for any workers traveling for business.

While new technologies have greatly improved the interconnectedness of the world, allowing professionals to communicate and collaborate over vast distances, there still remains a significant need for business travel.

Travel can pose a number of logistical challenges for firms. Among the most serious of these is the threat to data security. As The New York Times contributor Joe Sharkey recently highlighted, travelers are frequent targets of cybercriminals. These incidents can have serious consequences for both the individuals targeted and their employers, emphasizing the need for secure file transfer solutions for any workers traveling for business.

Travel risks
In his report, Sharkey emphasized the dangers individuals face when it comes to data security while traveling. He himself was nearly the victim of credit card fraud, and was only able to catch the illicit activity through careful monitoring of his credit card statements. However, he noted that catching these initial fraudulent charges did not mean that the traveler was safe, according to security experts. Instead, it is possible that more serious identity theft efforts could be forthcoming.

Sharkey noted that a recent data security report from Trustwave indicated that hotels are the third most frequently targeted industry when it comes to data breach attacks, as determined by total number of investigations. This marks an improvement from several years ago, when hotels were the most frequently targeted sector. However, the fact remains that hotels tend to be locally owned, even if they are managed by large chains. Local owners may struggle to achieve compliance of relevant data security regulations. Such shortcomings can put travelers' data, both personal and corporate, at risk of theft or exposure.

Preventative measures
Speaking to the source, security expert Anthony Roman explained that preventative steps and constant monitoring are the best means for travelers to prevent data breaches and theft.

"The best protection is vigilance, and that takes work," he said, according to the news source.

For credit card protection, this largely entails the use of complex passwords and updated antivirus software, the news source reported.

However, when it comes to non-financial corporate data, more robust strategies are needed. After all, it can be far more difficult to detect data loss or theft than fraudulent credit card charges. It is therefore imperative that businesses provide their traveling professionals with tools which ensure that corporate data remains safe and secure at all times.

Secure file transfer solutions can play a key role in this regard. These solutions enable employees to send and receive company data without fear that the information will be accessed by unauthorized personnel while it is in transit. This means that even if the user is in an less-than-ideal environment, such as using a hotel's WiFi, his or her overall level of data security will not be diminished. This allows business travelers to remain more productive, and to enjoy greater flexibility while performing their jobs.